The gorgeous country that's one of the best for Brits to retire to - not Italy or Greece

The country boasts a rich history (Image: Getty)

Europe has become one of the most popular places for British people to move to when they reach retirement age. Just under 481,000 UK pensioners were living in the EU as of August 2024, according to data from the Department of Work and Pensions.

Spain is currently the most popular destination, followed by countries such as Portugal and France. Many are attracted by the warm weather and low cost of living, as well as the great food and stunning scenery. One European country, though, is becoming increasingly more popular with British retirees, looking to enjoy their golden years.

People enjoy a drink at a cafe in Valletta (Image: Getty)

Malta offers a warm mediterranean climate, a fascinating history and considerably lower costs of living than the UK.

In addition, it provides high-quality healthcare that is easily accessible to all.

Everyday expenses, from groceries to dining out, are generally more affordable, allowing pensioners to get more bang for their buck.

Rental prices are far more reasonable than in the UK, with a one-bedroom apartment costing around £676 to £900 per month - according to Global Citizen Solutions.

By way of comparison, a similar property in the UK might cost between £1,126 to £1,652 per month.

To live comfortably for a month, people would need a budget of about £1,201 to £1,501. This includes costs for groceries, utilities, transportation and dining out.

Malta has great beaches and beautiful coastline (Image: Getty)

Malta offers citizenship and residency through investment for non-EU citizens. Malta’s Citizenship by Investment requires a minimum real estate investment of at least £523,128 with a residency period of 36 months and £653,895 if you have proof of residency of 12 months.

On the other hand, the Malta Residency by Investment program requires a real estate investment of at least £261,558.

Perhaps most importantly of all, Malta has a friendly and warm local population, where over 80% speak English. The island nation also has a stable political and financial system and relatively benign tax system.